The Minister said this during the launch of the fund at Blantyre Sports Club on 15 November, 2025. He said while government is working tirelessly to widen access to tertiary education through the provision of students’ loans, universities also need to come up with sustainable funding models to support students’ education.

“Let me commend MUBAS Management for setting up this fund. This moment marks a bold and visionary step towards securing the university’s long-term sustainability,’’ he said.

Msaka said education remains the most powerful tool for the country’s development agenda and he appealed to the corporate world and individuals to support government’s efforts in ensuring that no student drops out of school due to financial challenges.

“When we support one student, the ripple down effects of that support go beyond the student, ultimately, the whole community and the nation at large benefits,’’ he added.

The minister further said that human capital development is crucial for the attainment of the Malawi 2063 vision and that government acknowledges the critical role that universities play in creating and advancing knowledge through teaching and research.

MUBAS Vice-Chancellor Associate Professor Nancy Chitera said the university acknowledges the financial challenges that most students at the institution face, hence the establishment of the Endowment Fund.

“Many of our students are classified as needy, lacking basic provisions such as accommodation, food, and other learning resources and it is the university’s wish to support such students,’’ she said.

Chitera said that though many organisations support needy students through scholarships, the university decided to establish the Endowment Fund to ensure a more sustainable way of student support.

She said limited accommodation at the university has led to many students live in pathetic conditions outside the university campus and the establishment of the fund will assist such students to find decent accommodation and other necessities.

“The living conditions of some of our students has an effect on their academic performance. Many otherwise brilliant students perform below their potential due to the challenges they are facing, ‘’ said Chitera.

Before the Endowment Fund launch, the university organized a golf tournament where Nico One team which comprised of Ignacio Kambale and Dr. Kwanele Ngwenya emerged champions. Through the golf tournament, the anniversary raised 485 million kwacha towards the fund.